by | Aug 19, 2012 | Music, Travels |
Hi Elegant Readers,
I would like to introduce my new travel writer, my hubby, J. He will be writing on upcoming travel plans, past trips and concerts that we have been to. J is a cool guy and my best friend so welcome aboard honey. In this post he will be writing about the fun times we had in Memphis.
Enjoy!
Last year, Duran Duran began a tour the United States with the release of the latest album “All You Need Is Now”. My wife had always wanted to go to one of their concerts; but never had the chance to go. I began checking out the tour information, I found that the concerts were far away from the Gateway City and the venues were quite small. Getting tickets seemed to be almost impossible. I thought that the tour had finished and that the dream would have to wait again. Until last month I found that the wild boys were playing in Memphis and the tickets were still available. My wife and I decided that this would be our chance. I quickly purchased the tickets and started planning our road trip to Memphis to see Duran Duran at the Live at the Garden concert series.
Waiting for the concert to begin!
Duran Duran put on an awesome show. The two hour concert was jammed packed with hits that made them popular in the 1980s; with a few from their latest album. They knew what people wanted to hear and they didn’t disappoint. They made sure that the playlist included hits like Reflex, Hungry Like The Wolf, and Save a Prayer. It was great to look over at my wife and seeing her singing along, as if she was a back-up singer. I must admit, I too liked Duran Duran. So when they played Wild Boys, Come Undone and Ordinary World, I too was singing along and jamming.
The line up of songs for the night.
Playlist for the Memphis concert / Duran Duran FB page
I had been to several big-name concerts, but this concert at the Memphis Botanic Garden was a unique experience.
For the first time, I had to purchase general admission tickets. Typically, I want to be as close to the stage as possible. However, by the time we found out about the concert, there were only general admission/lawn seat tickets left. Considering that we found out about the concert three months after the tickets went on sale, I feel fortunate that we were able even get tickets.
As we parked on the grounds of the Memphis Botanic Garden, I expected to have to pay $15 or $20. But parking didn’t cost a dime, it was free. This was the first time I had been a large concert like this and didn’t have to pay for parking.
Since we had general admission tickets, we arrived at the Garden an hour and a half prior to start time. We didn’t know what to expect so we wanted to make sure we could get a good spot to view the concert. There looked to be only a few hundred actual seats, while the rest were lawn seats. When we arrived, most of the lawn seats closest to the stage were already filled up, so we stayed towards the middle of the field. We were not crammed in; and we felt free to set up our blanket and chairs under a tree.
The setup for the lawn seating worked well except for the Italian Ice food stand on the left side of the lawn section. Because of the placement of this large tent, it prevented people from sitting behind it because they could not see the show. If this tent was not there, the people in the lawn section could have spread out and prevented people from having to sit close together.
Duran Duran Concert
I never had been to a concert where people brought in their own food and drinks. Maybe because the concerts were mostly inside where you had to pay for your food. I witnessed people eating baked chicken, salads, and deserts; all on fine china. They were popping open wine bottles and sipping champagne. I thought people came to concerts to jam, to rock, to dance and to get their groove on. This crowd was much different. While some danced to the hits, others sat there; looking like they were at a movie or just there because their spouse wanted to go. My wife and I do like to people watch so to see the vast array of expressions was quite interesting.
Although my wife and I didn’t stand up and dance to all the songs, we were definitely jamming. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Duran Duran concert in Memphis. Seeing my wife singing along with all the hits at a concert that she wanted to go to for many years, made me feel good. I would do it all over again, in a second.
Now, if anyone knows how my wife can be a back up singer for Duran Duran, that would fulfill another one her dreams. So Simon, if you are reading this, just let me know how we can make that happen.
by | Aug 19, 2012 | Fashion, Sewing |
Hi Bubbling Readers,
I hope your day is going well!
I designed and sewed a capelet and reversible skirt for a Product Development graduate class a few years back. I had to come up with an outline for the type of personalized woven labels that I wanted to be included in each garment if it was sold in the stores. I am now starting to get the plan going for deciding what I want to include on my label. I would like to include the labels on garments that I sew from now on.
At the time I was taking the class I felt like a true designer, I had to look up label requirements and find out why having a label was so important. My game plan was to name the label after my mother. The label would be called, BlueGlori, which is a mixture of my mother’s first name and maiden name.
Below is my graphic draft of the label so it’s a work in process.
The background of the label:
My grandmother would call my mother Glori as her nickname and Blue is my mother’s maiden name. So I reverse the names and came up with BlueGlori. In my class I decided to market reversible skirts and capelets. Having the label on my reversible skirts and accessories was a way to pay homage to my mother. Well, I am revisiting this idea from that class and resurrecting this idea again. This was so cool to me because my mother who is in heaven now has always been my style icon. To me, she represents beauty and elegance. A fashion designer has more to incorporate in a label than merely only picking out a name there’s meaning behind that name and the combinations of fabric play an important part on comfort, wear and care of the apparel in the line.
This picture below is the other side of the reversible skirt. The material is 100% silk so the skirt would be dry clean only. The capelet is made out of silk also so the fabric information is important to include on the label because you wouldn’t want the customer to put this in the washing machine.
The wrap around reversible skirt goes on effortlessly and is a timeless classic. Tie- in the timeless elegance that represents my mother which encompasses the label BlueGlori.
A pic with me in the finished garments.
This look:
A holiday party look or a night out with my husband after work by simply adding a satin tank and the capelet.
So I have the plan now to keep working on the label.
by | Aug 13, 2012 | Fashion |
I am really enjoying coral, the color lights up the face. Coral gives off energy and vivaciousness.
This blouse I actually bought brand new, at a consignment shop, great find.
My skirt is from Louis Del Olio and I know it’s at least five years old. I so like the hand embroidery in the skirt, makes it look so different and beyond the norm.
My shoes are from Ciao Bella and they are so comfortable and perfect with skirts or pants.
I have fun when we take photos because it’s fun to where clothes that I enjoy wearing. My doggie has to get in the shot.
My purse from Dooney and Bourke has become one of my favorites. It goes with everything. I can wear it as a satchel or cross body, it works both ways.
Have fun with your fashion!
This post is linked to Not Dead Yet Style.
by | Aug 11, 2012 | Fashion |
Hello My Elegant readers,
Yesterday and today, I have felt a hint of coolness in the air. Parents are sending their kids back to school and I have started seeing school buses, but it is warm enough to see convertible cars on my regular route to work. We still our holding on to summer, however with temperatures only in the low 80s, Fall is definitely approaching.
As we are transitioning into fall, I look forward to New York Mercedes Benz Fashion week to see the hot trends for the following season. The fashion industry is almost a year ahead of schedule. As we move into Fall and Winter, fashion designers will be showing their collections for Spring/Summer 2013 . I know it seems a little different to be so far ahead in fashion; but it reminds me of looking into the future and seeing what trends we are looking forward to.
In the summer time when it is still hot; we have to look for good ways to transition when the weather gets cool. The dress that I am wearing above is a maxi dress with a top over it. I have worn this outfit to work and to church. Because it is so versatile, it is a must-have in my wardrobe. I can wear the dress with a black or burgundy blazer and boots. And now I am ready for fall and winter. This is the smart way to dress because you will have pieces in your closet that can be worn in every season.
Another great event going on during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is Fashion’s Night out on September 6th. Fashion’s Night Out began in 2009 in New York City to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry’s economy during the recession, and put the fun back in shopping! The program is a collaboration between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York. Since 2009, the event has spread to other cities throughout the world. Everyone who loves fashion will be going out and shopping the stores for the lastest finds. The stores stay open late. If there is a Fashion’s Night Out event in your area; shop, shop, shop!
I predict that dresses will continue to be a strong trend for fall with tights, booties or booties. In spring and summer, dresses will continue to be hot with flats and wedges. At this point, dresses are more than a trend. They are now a classic. The two favorite designers that I am looking forward to seeing their collections is Tracey Reese and Naheem Kahn. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week website has already posted the schedule when designers will be showing their collections. Tracey Reese will be presenting her collection in New York on September 9th; while Naheem Kahn will be showing his collection on September 11th. I will not be in New York; but I cannot wait to see the pictures and videos of the shows.
by | Aug 10, 2012 | Fashion |
Hope My Bubbling readers are having a great summer! I am seeing leaves falling, a sign of fall.
This blouse and skirt are mainstays in my wardrobe. I have been wearing them for years. The blouse is a classic dress shirt made of cotton and my linen skirt is embroidered with gold and brown threads. Here’s a closer look at the embroidery. See the flowers, looks like a garden growing on my skirt. And the fringes on the hem is the “piece de resistance.” By the fabric being linen it does wrinkle a little bit; but I don’t care. It just adds character to the skirt to me.
I added this belt to accent my waist for a little pizazz. I really like the ornamentation of the buckle. 
This outfit is perfect for work or church, it’s easy breezy.
I added a little clog and I lay on the watch and bracelets, that’s a part of me. I feel like somethings missing if I am not wearing a watch and bracelets.
My doggie has to be in the picture. It likes he knows when the camera is getting ready click. Funny!
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